How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

[tweetymom]

Someone already provided some numbers based on the information in the flawed study.

It is more than my “belief” and if you were not so committed to this study to prove the wrongness of Sola Scriptura through that study, you probably could see the flaws yourself.

Amen sister.

 

[fbl9]

Well 2 is closer to 1 than 41,363.

(although I disagree with the “failed experiment” part.)

of coarse you would disagree…but to which: that protestanism failed or that is is an experiment?

The reason i see protestantism as a failure is simple: there is not one with any authority,for if one can not correct his brother on an issue which church has the authority to do so?

 

[PRmerger]

Someone already provided some numbers** based on the information in the flawed study**.

Sorry, I missed it. Would you please re-post?

Also, if this “valid” number is based on what you call a “flawed” study (my reference was not a “study” BTW), then how can it be reliable?

It is more than my “belief”

Fair enough. Then is it based on science? Math?

and if you were not so committed to this study to prove the wrongness of Sola Scriptura through that study, you probably could see the flaws yourself.

I will be committed to this “study” until someone else provides a better statistic.

So far all I’ve seen is: it’s outrageous because it contains Mormons and because the number is too incredibe for belief.

 

[MariaG]

And a resource that is proven to flaws.

Independents (about 22000)
Protestants (about 9000)
“Marginals” (about 1600)
Orthodox (781)
Roman Catholics (242)
Anglicans (168)

1600 “marginal” which includes Mormons, JW, 7thDA, etc.
1200 Catholic oriented denominations
and 22,000 independent churches.

The last is the most ridiculous number of all because while there might be 22,000 Baptist churches, they are one denomination, but if a Baptist church drops its affliation, it is suddenly a new denomination on your list eventhough nothing has changed in their beliefs.

Your numbers are flawed, you know it. I know it. But you refused to give it up because you want division. You want disunity.

This was post # 1123.

It did not even include the observation that the Orthodox are included and they are not traditionally referred to as Protestant.

There are more. If you would use a more critical lens, you could see it for yourself.

But also note that the point you wish to make is being completely lost by the lack of critically examining the 40,000 number. And the charge of disunity and formerly the charge that you must not consider any Protestants Christian (unfounded but still felt) are the only points that are getting across.

Respectfully,
Maria

 

[Xavierlives]

Can’t remember if I posted this already, but here it is…

Mathematically, just taking 21 different belief systems (which is not by any means an exhaustive list), the number of possibilities of different Christian denominations is

[SIGN1]HUNDREDS of thousands. :bigyikes:[/SIGN1]

Makes the 40,000 statistic seem quite tame, doesn’t it?

One of them is bound to be right.

 

[tweetymom]

This was post # 1123.

It did not even include the observation that the Orthodox are included and they are not traditionally referred to as Protestant.

There are more. If you would use a more critical lens, you could see it for yourself.

But also note that the point you wish to make is being completely lost by the lack of critically examining the 40,000 number. And the charge of disunity and formerly the charge that you must not consider any Protestants Christian (unfounded but still felt) are the only points that are getting across.

Respectfully,
Maria

Respectfully Maria I agree with you. Thank you so much,

 

[Xavierlives]

of coarse you would disagree…but to which: that protestanism failed or that is is an experiment?

The reason i see protestantism as a failure is simple: there is not one with any authority,for if one can not correct his brother on an issue which church has the authority to do so?

Well I am not the one that made the qualifier. It was said that it was a “failed experiment.” So, I do not see it failed or an experiment.

As for your authority statement, I am not sure where you are going. If you could clarify it for me?

 

[PRmerger]

It did not even include the observation that the Orthodox are included and they are not traditionally referred to as Protestant.

So what, in the end, is the “valid” number of Christian denominations?

You’re using this “flawed” “study” to tell me what is the correct statistic?

Now I’m really

There are more.

There are more what?

If you would use a more critical lens, you could see it for yourself.

I am certainly open to looking at a different reference.

As for a critical lens, I believe saying, “It just doesn’t *sound *like there could be 40,000 Christian denominations” is NOT sufficient for dismissing this statistic, until a better source can be provided.

But also note that the point you wish to make is being completely lost by the lack of critically examining the 40,000 number.

Again, being “critical” of the 40,000 number just because “it sounds too high and it includes Mormons” is not sufficient grounds for dismissal, IMHO…until a better resource can be provided.

[SIGN1]I’d really like to know: if 40,000 is incorrect, what’s the correct number, and how do you know? [/SIGN1]

 

[Xavierlives]

So what, in the end, is the “valid” number of Christian denominations?

You’re using this “flawed” “study” to tell me what is the correct statistic?

Now I’m really

There are more what?

I am certainly open to looking at a different reference.

As for a critical lens, I believe saying, “It just doesn’t *sound *like there could be 40,000 Christian denominations” is NOT sufficient for dismissing this statistic, until a better source can be provided.

Again, being “critical” of the 40,000 number just because “it sounds too high and it includes Mormons” is not sufficient grounds for dismissal, IMHO…until a better resource can be provided.

[SIGN1]I’d really like to know: if 40,000 is incorrect, what’s the correct number, and how do you know? [/SIGN1]

Why are you looking for a number? Why not look for ways to unify the catholic church?

 

[MariaG]

So what, in the end, is the “valid” number of Christian denominations?

You’re using this “flawed” “study” to tell me what is the correct statistic?

Now I’m really

There are more what?

I am certainly open to looking at a different reference.

As for a critical lens, I believe saying, “It just doesn’t *sound *like there could be 40,000 Christian denominations” is NOT sufficient for dismissing this statistic, until a better source can be provided.

Again, being “critical” of the 40,000 number just because “it sounds too high and it includes Mormons” is not sufficient grounds for dismissal, IMHO…until a better resource can be provided.

[SIGN1]I’d really like to know: if 40,000 is incorrect, what’s the correct number, and how do you know? [/SIGN1]

I am not trying to give you the correct statistic. I am trying to get you to stop using an incorrect one and showing where it is incorrect. It has nothing to do with “it sounds too big” or any such nonsense. But what I am saying is that the number 40,000 CAN’T be correct because I and others found with a minimal amount of looking several flaws that bloat that number considerably.

The Orthodox, who are not considered Protestant are included in the number.

Baptists, who may simply have a different name, are all individually named.

Those who claim to be Christian but are not make up about 1600 of the 40,000.

More?

 

[tweetymom]

So what, in the end, is the “valid” number of Christian denominations?

You’re using this “flawed” “study” to tell me what is the correct statistic?

Now I’m really

There are more what?

I am certainly open to looking at a different reference.

As for a critical lens, I believe saying, “It just doesn’t *sound *like there could be 40,000 Christian denominations” is NOT sufficient for dismissing this statistic, until a better source can be provided.

Again, being “critical” of the 40,000 number just because “it sounds too high and it includes Mormons” is not sufficient grounds for dismissal, IMHO…until a better resource can be provided.

[SIGN1]I’d really like to know: if 40,000 is incorrect, what’s the correct number, and how do you know? [/SIGN1]

I really have dimissed the whole thing isn’t relevent in my oponion. Just sounds like you like to argue:shrug:

 

[PRmerger]

I am not trying to give you the correct statistic.

sigh

I am trying to get you to stop using an incorrect one and showing where it is incorrect. It has nothing to do with “it sounds too big” or any such nonsense. But what I am saying is that the number 40,000 CAN’T be correct because I and others found with a minimal amount of looking several flaws that bloat that number considerably.

Absolutely not. We can subtract JWs and Mormons. And the 242 Catholic denominations and add it as 1. Compared to over 40,000, subtracting 243 does not “bloat” the numbers “considerably” at all. Hardly.

***It drops it by exactly 1%. ***

The Orthodox, who are not considered Protestant are included in the number.

This is not a list of “Protestants” but of “Christians”, Maria. Thus you would agree that the Orthodox have a legitimate claim on this list, yes?

Baptists, who may simply have a different name, are all individually named.

This was addressed by the author:

Originally posted by Dave1988: “local Baptist parish church is a law unto itself. Its relations with other Baptists churches, its compliance with recommendations from national church headquarters, its acceptance of any resolutions formulated at regional , national, or international conventions – all these are entirely voluntary on the part of the parish church.” (Religions of America, Leo Rosten, ed.)

If it is true that every Baptist parish-church is a law unto itself, then isn’t every individual Baptist parish-church, according to Webster, its own legal and administrative body, its own denomination?

 

[tweetymom]

sigh

Absolutely not. We can subtract JWs and Mormons. And the 242 Catholic denominations and add it as 1. Compared to over 40,000, subtracting 243 does not “bloat” the numbers “considerably” at all. Hardly.

***It drops it by exactly 1%. ***

This is not a list of “Protestants” but of “Christians”, Maria. Thus you would agree that the Orthodox have a legitimate claim on this list, yes?

This was addressed by the author:

And all this makes a difference because? Only to you it does I guess for whatever reason.

 

[1beleevr]

Shame on you, 1beleevr.

I expected much better than this from you.

]

As did I from you prmerger&fbl9! But I will not say shame on you two, for because of Christ’s finished work on the Cross, there is no shame or guilt!(Romans 8:1) And as far as the Cross, in scripture, it tells of Christ being taken down OFF the Cross by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arithmethea; so putting Him on crossses is like saying He was never taken off! Tell me, can you show Biblical support for crucifixes? Did the apostles wear them? If your son or daughter died a horrible death, and was disfigured and mangled; would you keep a picture of them on your desk, or coffee table to remind you? And many of us have made light of each other’s words or posts, so don’t go selfrighteous or holier than thou on me The example you gave was very weak! And I am still learning to be more humble! I don’t always see Christ in your posts, or sense humility or charity either! It’s all part of the disunity which infects the Christian community!

 

[PRmerger]

And as far as the Cross, in scripture, it tells of Christ being taken down OFF the Cross by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arithmethea; so putting Him on crossses is like saying He was never taken off!

Or showing him off the cross is like saying he never died for your sins.

Tell me, can you show Biblical support for crucifixes?

Can you show Biblical support for creches? I’m assuming you had one on display in your home during Christmas?

Did the apostles wear them?

Possibly. We certainly have no proof that they didn’t wear them. Or that they objected to wearing them.

If your son or daughter died a horrible death, and was disfigured and mangled; would you keep a picture of them on your desk, or coffee table to remind you?

If my son or daughter gave his life up for me in the supreme act of love I would certainly keep a reminder of it on my desk and look at it daily and kiss that reminder every single chance I got!

And many of us have made light of each other’s words or posts, so don’t go selfrighteous or holier than thou on me

Right back at 'cha, Sir.

 

[Xavierlives]

Or showing him off the cross is like saying he never died for your sins.

Can you show Biblical support for creches? I’m assuming you had one on display in your home during Christmas?

Possibly. We certainly have no proof that they didn’t wear them. Or that they objected to wearing them.

If my son or daughter gave his life up for me in the supreme act of love I would certainly keep a reminder of it on my desk and look at it daily and kiss that reminder every single chance I got!

Right back at 'cha, Sir.

Well besides the fact that I think PRMerger now has me on ignore.

The point is an independent Baptist Church or an Independent Church of Christ or Independent Christian Church is not its own denomination. They, for one reason or another are not affliated. That doesn’t mean they don’t hold the exact views as that denomination. Exact Doctrine. Exact Bylaws. Exact Theology. Two Denominations? NO!

 

[PJM]

=PRmerger;6234970]Pat, please see this post of mine regarding whether I claim Mormons are Christians.

Oh, and this one, too.

Duh!

If they “are not christians” then on what basis do they belong on a list of “Christian churches?”

What am I missing here?

Love and prays,
Pat

 

[Xavierlives]

Or showing him off the cross is like saying he never died for your sins.

I always love this discussion… what is more important? The death or resurrection? He said “I am the resurrection,” not “I am the death” so that is how I pick.

Can you show Biblical support for creches? I’m assuming you had one on display in your home during Christmas?

Hmm… what is a creche?

Possibly. We certainly have no proof that they didn’t wear them. Or that they objected to wearing them.

My favorite logic, We don’t have proof logic. We have any proof they didn’t wear a lion pelt. We have any proof they didn’t wear a long sword. We have any proof they didn’t wear a beaver hat. We have any proof they didn’t wear armor. The possibilities are endless.

If my son or daughter gave his life up for me in the supreme act of love I would certainly keep a reminder of it on my desk and look at it daily and kiss that reminder every single chance I got!

Hmm… I can’t say I have found myself kissing any object.

 

[Xavierlives]

Duh!

If they “are not christians” then on what basis do they belong on a list of “Christian churches?”

What am I missing here?

Love and prays,
Pat

They are there to inflate her sacred list (along with 1599 other non-Christian religions).

 

[Xavierlives]

I think the surprising thing is this thread has pretty much stayed on topic.